Yates the Key to the Texans Playoff Success

T.J. Yates looking to overcome two subpar outings when the Texans play the Titans Sunday

Rookie QB T.J. Yates was making strides for the Texans before the last two weeks. Now with a game that doesn’t mean all that much looming Sunday against the Titans, the Texans can’t afford for Yates to take it easy as they get set for the postseason.

Two weeks ago the Texans lost 28-13 to Cam Newton and Carolina. Last Thursday they allowed Dan Orlovsky and the Colts from putting coal in their stocking as they rallied for a win at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Yates, a fifth-round pick thrust into the starting role less than a month ago, went 13 for 16 for 132 yards in Indy. He did not throw an interception, but was sacked four times and lost a fumble.

Coach Gary Kubiak says he’s sticking with Yates as his starter even though the Texans signed veterans Jake Delhomme and Jeff Garcia in recent weeks. Neither of the two vets have seen any playing time that means anything.

“I think T.J. continues to do some good things,” Kubiak said Friday. “I think he continues to get better and like I said, for where we’re heading here, he needs to continue to get better and we just got to trust him and move forward.”

Can Yates be trusted? That remains to be seen. The QB was a hero when he led the Texans back against the Bengals three weeks ago, but keep in mind that the Texans havee scored 20 points or fewer in five straight games since Matt Schaub went out with a right Lisfranc fracture.

The Texans first trip to the playoffs are squarely on the shoulders of Yates, and the pressure is growing and growing on the rookie QB as the playoffs get closer and closer.